Category Archives: Drawing

Carmen and I have been very busy these last few weeks, completing works for our exhibition titled “Visual Fragments: New work by Carmen Beezley-Drake and Joanne Kerr”. It has been an exhausting time completing the work, but rewarding to see it all together. We had several deadlines to meet- the first was last Friday 17th November … Continue reading →

Our exhibition titled ‘Fragmented Images’ at the Rockhampton Art Gallery in Central Queensland has been confirmed for January 2018. While we are thrilled, after the long wait we have had, now the real work begins. We have deadlines that are a bit scary – all art work to be delivered by mid- November. So we … Continue reading →

Carmen and I have both been fortunate enough to have been awarded prizes at the 25th Barcaldine Art Show. If you are interested, it is worth checking out their Facebook page, where they have some great photos of the night and the town itself. Carmen was awarded 1st prize in section 1- Painting oil … Continue reading →

I have recently had lovely time with collage, watercolours and pencil among other media working up larger more complete drawings from the quick sketches done in the Northern Territory. This drawing is of Ubirr Rock escarpment, looking towards it from the road as you drive into the site. Some of the most amazing rock art … Continue reading →

Carmen and I have had 6 wonderful days travelling with family around Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks with a wonderful cruise down Katherine Gorge the highlight for me. We have tried to sketch as we travel but with time restraints it was mainly from the car. So brief and sketchy was the go.

A few snap shots of work that Carmen and I are doing at present. We are exploring visual images and memories of our environment and region, and allowing ourselves to respond to the subject matter. The idea is to pursue these works with a view to an exhibition. A long way to go, but it is interesting … Continue reading →

It has been quite a while since my last post. Not sure this is a good thing or bad, Carmen and I have both been busy with our art and life in general tends to rush by. But needed to post about our great 11 days at Cooee Bay Art workshop on the Capricorn Coast. This is an art workshop that has been taking place for 35 years with many of our leading Australian artists tutoring along side Bela Ivani the founding tutor. While Carmen has been in attendance from the beginning, missing only a few over the years, this was my first time. With Bela Ivani unable to attend due to illness, we had David Fairbairn (Sydney artist and Dobell Prize winner) along with Terry O’Donnell (a fellow Sydney artist) in attendance. The workshop centred on portraiture and figure work and working predominately with drawing materials. Four days starting into

Carmen with her work

Joanne with her work.

a mirror as we worked on self portraits certainly was more than I like looking at them. With about 30 other artists from around Australia, it was a great learning experience. The tutors setup great learning experiences, with plenty of feedback and motivating chats discussing artists and art that related to work that was being done.

Was also a lovely time to spend with my mum doing what we both enjoyed. Some of the time it was frustrating but always fun with a very friendly and supportive group of artists. We just have to keep the momentum rolling now.

I have always been a big fan of charcoal and messy though it is, its feel and sound as you drag it across the paper is rewarding. So after attending a drawing workshop with charcoal, I have been doing some works using it with collage. Still obsessed with the Gymea Lily, these drawings explore charcoal … Continue reading →

In its full beauty my Queensland Spear lily has gradually but finally opened all its flowers. Looking magnificent it draws birds to its nectar. I am so delighted with this plant and have done several drawings and a couple of lino prints of it so far. Cheers, Joanne

I have started life drawing on Fridays with an art group called The Half Dozen Group that meet locally. The life drawing session is attended by a range of interesting artists, all of who are committed to their art and to encouraging each other. The venue is in an old scout den on the bank of the Brisbane river, an idyllic setting – amongst the trees, with birds chorusing outside as we sit quietly drawing inside. Here are a few samples (tastefully positioned), please remember it has been (dare I say the number, no I think not) many years since I have done any life drawing. We do 2 min, 5 min, 10 min and then longer drawings of 15 -20 mins and the 3 hours fly by. I am enjoying it immensely and at the very least my drawing should improve through practise on a regular basis.